Viral photo sparks debate over school's Rs250,000 nursery fee in India

Dubai: A staggering photo circulating online shows a private Hyderabad school charging an annual fee of Rs 2,51,000 (Dh10,542) for nursery, igniting a fierce debate about education costs and affordability for middle-income families across India. The image, shared by Anuradha Tiwari, founder of the Dharma Party of India, on X, quickly went viral, with many questioning the justification for such exorbitant charges.

"Now, learning ABCD will cost you Rs 21,000 (Dh 882) per month. What are these schools even teaching to justify such a ridiculously high fee?" Tiwari wrote, highlighting the immense financial burden placed on parents.

The fee structure reveals similar high costs for other grades: Rs2,42,700 (Dh 10,193) annually for pre-primary I and II, and Rs2,91,460(Dh12,241) annually for classes 1 and 2.

Social media users have flooded platforms with expressions of frustration, many questioning the logic behind such steep fees for early childhood education. While some suggested parents simply avoid such institutions if they can't afford them, others called for greater regulation.

"If one cannot afford the fees, don't send your kids to this school. Simple and straight," one user commented.

Another netizen described the situation as a "scam" that needs effective regulation. A third user pointed to a broader issue in India's education system, linking high fees to a reliance on private coaching due to a disparity between easy board exams and tough competitive exams.

The viral post has also brought to light similar concerns in other cities. A LinkedIn post by Mr. Singhal claimed school expenses now eat up nearly 19% of household income, with parents even resorting to EMIs for kindergarten fees. He highlighted a "30% fee hike" and stated, "In Bangalore, parents are now paying ₹2.1 lakh ( Dh 8,820) for 3rd standard. That’s not an international school. That’s regular CBSE."

Nasr School, the institution identified in the viral photo, has yet to issue a statement regarding the widespread online criticism. The incident underscores a growing national conversation about educational accessibility and the escalating cost of private schooling in India.